Pocket Botanist
Check these first
- Check if the plant is shaded by larger trees or structures.
- Look at the base to see if it is woody and old.
- Measure the distance between leaf nodes to see if they are stretched.
Likely causes
Lack of sunlight
Most likelyHow to tell: The stems are long and thin with large gaps between the leaves. The plant leans heavily toward the nearest light source.
What to do: Move the plant to a sunnier location immediately. You can trim back the long stems to encourage bushier growth.
Lack of pruning
PossibleHow to tell: The plant is old and has become woody at the base with sparse growth at the tips. It looks overgrown and untidy.
What to do: Cut the plant back by one third in late winter to stimulate new, dense growth. This resets the plant and keeps it compact.
Find out what's wrong with your st. john's wort
The list above covers the usual causes. Pocket Botanist looks at a photo of your actual plant and tells you the likely cause, how serious it is, and what to try first. Identification and a health check are free.
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When to worry
It is not a health emergency, but it does make the plant look messy. If the stems are weak and falling over, it is time to prune.
Stopping it coming back
Prune annually in late winter and ensure the plant gets plenty of direct sun throughout the growing season.
St. John's wort: leggy growth? Check yours with a photo
Every plant is a little different. Take a photo of your st. john's wort and Pocket Botanist tells you which cause is most likely, how serious it is, and what to try first. A few checks a day are free. Save the plant and you get care reminders timed for it.
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Questions people ask
- Can I cut it all the way to the ground?
- Yes, St. John's wort is very resilient. Cutting it back hard in late winter will result in fresh, bushy growth in the spring.
- Will the stems fill in if I move it to the sun?
- The new growth will be much fuller, but the existing long stems will not suddenly grow more leaves. It is best to prune those back.
More problems with St. John's wort
- Why does my St. John's wort have spots on its leaves?
- Why is my St. John's wort suffering from root rot?
- Why is my St. John's wort not flowering?
- Why are my St. John's wort leaves turning yellow?
- Why does my St. John's wort have brown leaf tips?
- Why is my St. John's wort drooping?
- What are the bugs on my St. John's wort?
Back to the St. John's wort guide
This article was generated with AI on from the plant’s care profile and is general information, not horticultural advice. Read about how we build these guides.